In Focus by The Hindu

On January 3rd, The United States of America launched Operation Absolute Resolve bombing the city of Caracas in Venezuela and capturing the sitting president Nicolas Maduro. He has been accused of Narco terrorism. He is now jailed in New York. Meanwhile, Trump has stated that he would be effectively running the country for the benefit of both U.S. and Venezuela. He also said that he would open the country for American Oil companies. The recent developments in Venezuela is said to have huge political ramifications not only for Latin America but across the world. Tune in! Guest: Tariq Ali, political activist, filmmaker, and writer Host: Bhagavathi Sampath Edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The release of Jana Nayagan, the high-budget farewell film of actor-politician Vijay, has reached a legal and bureaucratic impasse that threatens a ₹500 crore investment. The film was diverted to a Revising Committee just days before its planned January 2026 debut. This last-minute intervention fuelled allegations of a "political conspiracy" intended to stifle Vijay’s entry into politics. This was not an isolated event but part of a massive trend in Indian cinema. Data show that between 2017 and 2025, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has altered more than 720 hours of film content. Data shows that 76% of these modifications were outright deletions, totaling nearly 550 hours of footage removed from public view. Tune in to know the mechanics behind these "silent scissors" in this episode of In Focus. Guest: Aroon Deep, a journalist and tech correspondent at The Hindu Host: Nitika Francis Edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acid attack survivors are recognised as persons with a specified disability under the Rights of Persons with Disability Act (RPwD), 2016. This acknowledges external disfigurement, but overlooks cases of forcible ingestion of acid wherein injuries are internal and often invisible. Recently, the Supreme Court heard a plea by an acid attack survivor, Shaheen Malik, to formally recognise such acid attack survivors under the protective umbrella of the RPwD Act. The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asked the Centre to consider a comprehensive policy framework. In this episode, we explore the inclusion of acid attack survivors and the intersection of their rights, both as "victims" fighting for justice under criminal law, and persons with disabilities navigating the system to access compensation, healthcare, and employment benefits. Host: Vibha B Madhava Guest: Madiah Shahjar, Programme and Legal Associate at Brave Souls Foundation, and the advocate who represented Shaheen Malik in the SC plea hearings. Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China is building the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet. This river flows into Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang, and it is one of the major tributaries of the Brahmaputra in Assam. Further down, it becomes the Jamuna river in Bangladesh. This dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo is a trans-boundary project that would have an impact on downstream countries. China, however, has claimed that the dam’s unique design will ensure that there is no adverse impact on lower riparian countries. How valid are China’s claims? Will the waters be diverted? Will it cause flooding in India? How will this project affect the Brahmaputra, one of the last, great free-flowing rivers in the world? And more broadly, what could be the impact on India’s North East? Guest: Samrat Choudhury, Journalist and Author Host: G Sampath Shot, produced, and edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran is once again witnessing protests on its streets, triggered by a severe economic squeeze as inflation surges and the rial continues to lose value. What began as protests over livelihoods—most visibly among merchants in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar—has begun to intersect with deeper questions about governance, legitimacy, and the state’s ability to manage crises. This unrest is unfolding amid renewed U.S. sanctions, growing regional isolation, the continued dominance of the Revolutionary Guard, and the uncertainty of an impending leadership transition—factors that together place unusual strain on the Iranian system. How deep is Iran’s economic crisis, and what makes this moment different from earlier protest cycles? How is the state balancing conciliatory signals with violent crackdowns? And what do these protests tell us about Iran’s political stability and the paths that lie ahead? Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Host: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, India has struggled to improve its record on deceased organ donation, even as thousands of patients wait for transplants. This is despite data showing strong willingness among people to donate their organs after death.In this episode, we examine two paradoxes in India’s organ donation system. Why do cadaver organ donations remain low despite high posthumous willingness? And why do women make up a larger share of donors, while men dominate among organ recipients? We also explore where the system breaks down — from hospital protocols and transplant coordination to family consent at the time of death. We also look at the sharp gender imbalances in donation and receipt. Guest: Dr. Amalorpavanathan, retired vascular surgeon who played a pioneering role in building Tamil Nadu’s cadaver organ donation programme Host: Devyanshi Bihani Edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court on January 5, 2025, declined to grant bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, notwithstanding their incarceration for nearly six years without the commencement of trial. The court held that the constitutional guarantee of personal liberty is not “absolute”, and remains subject to the stringent bail regime prescribed under special statutes such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). A Bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria, however, granted conditional bail to five other co-accused, observing that the allegations against them indicated conduct of a subsidiary or facilitative nature, thereby warranting differential treatment. What are the implications of the ruling? Does the ruling depart from settled bail jurisprudence? Does treating allegations of road blockades as “terrorist acts” risk emboldening governments to weaponise the law to criminalise dissent? Guest: Vrinda Grover, Supreme Court advocate Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On January 3rd, 2026, the United States launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela and arrested President Nicolás Maduro. Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela strained since the Cold War era, and worsened after Hugo Chávez came to power in 1999, and deteriorated further with U.S. sanctions imposed from 2006 onward. The arrest of Maduro marks a dramatic escalation of ties. Maduro has long been in Washington’s crosshairs. In 2020, the U.S. indicted him on multiple charges during Donald Trump’s first term. Now, Maduro has been charged with this wife, son and three others. So why did Washington act now? Tune in! Guest: Srinivasan Ramani, Senior Associate Editor, The Hindu. Host: Nivedita V Recorded by Shivaraj S Produced and edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At least eight people have died, hundreds were hospitalised and thousands more were affected after consuming contaminated water in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, in a tragedy that has rocked the nation and also severely dented the image of Indore as a clean city. The case has now gone to court, and while the government claims the situation is under control, local residents allege that the death toll is much higher, and the water is still not safe. Tragically, the residents say they had been raising the issue of the unsafe water much before the deaths occurred, but no action was taken. At present, the cause is believed to be contamination through sewage leaking into the water pipeline supplying a residential area. But why does the issue of contaminated water arise again and again in India? What is wrong with our water supply and delivery systems? And why is it that we are still unable to provide clean drinking water to millions of Indians? Guest: Pradip KalbarAssociate Professor Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Parliament has passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025. It is being touted as a game changer, especially with the move to allow 100% FDI in insurance companies. The government also says that the act strengthens the Insurance Regulatory Authority of India (IRDAI), and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). How would 100% FDI improve the claims experience for the ordinary citizen, the buyers of insurance? For long, they have been grappling with problems such as unfairly rejected claims, mis-selling of insurance, and hidden exclusions. Does the Bill hold out hope on these counts? Guest: Shilpa Arora, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Insurance Samadhan, a platform that helps policy-holders resolve insurance issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On December 31, more than a lakh gig and platform workers held a strike. In a memorandum to Union Labour Mansukh Mandaviya, their unions demanded that the that the 10 to 20-minute service delivery system should be immediately withdrawn to prioritise worker safety. The Union government sees the four Labour Codes, which was implemented recently, as an answer to the problems of gig workers, especially for bringing them into the ambit of social security. The strike also threw light on the need to create more job opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture. Is the 10-minute delivery model necessary? Here we discuss the question. Guest: Kamal Karanth is cofounder of XPheno, a specialist staffing company; Prashant Kamal is National General Secretary, Yuva Hallabol Host: Jigeesh AM Edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India does not have a codified law that recognises or regulates personality rights, particularly concerning artificial intelligence (AI). In 2025 alone, several Indian celebrities have moved court to protect their personality rights including Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jr. NTR among others. The cases are over the personalities' right to control the commercial as well as the reputational use of aspects of their identity. This comes as India, one of the most socially engaged digital populations in the world, continued to be increasingly exposed to deceptive content. Shah Rukh Khan tops the recent McAfee list as the most exploited celebrity in deepfake scams, followed by Alia Bhatt and Elon Musk. Their names and likenesses, Indians report, were most frequently seen used in AI-driven deepfakes to promote fake endorsements, phishing links, or malicious downloads. In this episode, we explore the aspect of evolving personality rights, and the need for a comprehensive, legal framework in an era where AI can recreate anyone, anywhere, saying anything. Guest: Madhavi Ravikumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, University of Hyderabad. Host: Vibha B Madhava Edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple is one of the six abodes of Tamil god Murugan. Set in Madurai, the ancient capital of Pandyas, it has found reference in Sangam literature and subsequent literary works. The temple is now in news over the lighting of the Karthigai deepam at the hills. While one section claim that the Deepam is traditionally lit at the Uchhi Pillayar temple, the right wing forces want the Deepam to be lit at the Deepathon which is 50 metres away from the Sikandar Dargah. This is said to have huge ramifications politically and legally for Tamil Nadu. Guest: S. Vanchi Nathan, a senior advocate from the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court Host: Bhagavathi Sampath K J Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recent disruption India’s aviation sector due to IndiGo's crew shortage has thrown up questions about the concentration of powers in the hands of a few in the market across sectors. India’s domestic aviation market is heavily concentrated. IndiGo and Air India together control close to 90 per cent of passenger traffic. Passengers were left without a backup when IndiGo faced a massive staff shortage, after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) implemented new rest and duty norms for the crew. This is not unique to aviation. Across India’s economy, several sectors have quietly settled into duopolies. In telecom, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio dominate the market. Vodafone Idea and state-run BSNL struggle to stay competitive. In the digital economy, Amazon and Flipkart domiante the e-commerce sector, while, Uber and Ola lead ride-hailing. Zomato and Swiggy dominate food delivery sector. PhonePe and Google Pay command digital payments. Similar concentration exists in cement, steel, automobiles and other core industries. 2025 Nobel economic laurates Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt studied how companies invest in R&D to get patents to gain an advantage in the market. Their theory helps understanding how societies needs to support R&D to support economic growth. Power concentration is happens with innovation and the ability to raise investments. But concentration becomes a concern when it reduces consumer choice, weakens labour protections, or creates companies considered too big to fail. The IndiGo disruption has reignited that debate. As markets grow more concentrated, the key question remains — at what point should regulation step in to protect competition, workers and consumers? Guest: Rahul Singh, Associate Professor of Law, National Law School of India University Host: Nivedita V Edited and produced by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bengaluru Open is the most prestigious event on the tennis calendar in India. It is an ATP 125 Challenger. Although Challengers are tier 2 in the ATP rung, this is the only ATP 125 level event in India. The other three Challengers – in Chennai, Pune, and New Delhi – are below the ATP 125 level. This year, for a change, Bengaluru Open will see two Indian stars with a great chance of going all the way – Sumit Nagal, and Dakshinseshwar Suresh. It would be a major career boost for either of them if they manage to do so. What does the draw mean for the Indian stars, and what’s the bigger picture with regard to Indian tennis in 2026? Guest: N Sudarshan from The Hindu’s sports bureau Host: G. Sampath Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Aravallis are the green lungs of northern India. They are a defensive wall that protects the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains from desertification – from an eastward expansion of the Thar desert. But over the years, commercial exploitation has put this fragile ecosystem under immense strain. On November 20th, the Supreme Court ruled that only Aravalli hills above 100 metres tall would enjoy environmental protection. This created a major public outcry, with people pointing out that in Rajasthan’s Aravallis alone, barely 1,048 hills out of 12,081, would qualify. In other words, most of the Aravallis would be exempted from any environmental protection. On December 28, the Supreme Court stayed its own order. It has also mooted the constitution of a new panel of experts to study the issue more closely, especially the prospects for what it calls “sustainable mining”. Is sustainable mining of the Aravallis possible? And how can we ensure that they receive at least the bare minimum of environmental protection? Guest: Kanchi Kohli, well known expert in environment and forest policy Host: G. Sampath Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roti, kapda aur makaan (roti, clothes, and housing) has been a political promise for generations. Now, with housing becoming increasingly expensive, makaan has been taken out of the equation in urban India. In Patna, for instance, buying a 2 BHK (bedroom, hall, kitchen) costs over ₹1 crore. This is the case in other rapidly urbanising cities as well. In metropolises, it is twice the amount, making owning a house out of reach for most Indians. According to the World Bank, per capita income is ₹2,42,487.70 (2024). This does not reflect income inequality among individuals and across States, which is extremely wide in India. Has housing become prohibitively expensive in Indian cities? Guests: Ashok B. Lall and Tikender Singh Panwar Host: Serish Nanisetti. Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zohran Mamdani, an avowed socialist, will be sworn in as New York City’s new mayor on January 1. His rise has revived old debates about the future of the U.S. Democratic Party. For most of the last century, the Democratic Party offered a clear promise. If you worked hard, if you were new to the country, if the economy knocked you down, this was your political home. But today, that bond feels weaker. Registrations for the Democratic Party are slipping. Younger voters are drifting away. Many longtime supporters say that the party sounds less like a movement and more like a kind of a corporate meeting room, technical, a little distant. Their political rivals, the Republicans, champion smaller government and conservative values, and in recent years have been reshaped by Donald Trump’s brand MAGA politics. Into this moment came New York City’s surprise, Zohran Mamdani, promising affordability and everyday dignity to a metropolis exhausted by rent and inequality. His ascent to public office comes at a time when the Democrats are nationally seeking momentum. So what’s happening with the Democratic Party, and where is its future actually being written? Guest: Hadas Thier, a journalist, activist, and author of A People's Guide to Capitalism. Hosts: Anupama Chandrasekaran and G Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025 tested India and the world on multiple fronts. Politics dominated the discourse, global trade shocks rattled economies, climate stress pushed cities to the brink, and public health and trust came under strain. From BJP’s continued dominance and a faltering Opposition, to Trump-era tariff pressures, the war in Gaza that claimed many lives, and sport offering brief relief, the year unfolded in stark fragments.In this In Focus year-ender, host Anupama Chandrasekaran brings together The Hindu’s journalists to reflect on the defining moments of 2025 and look ahead to the key questions of 2026 across politics, geopolitics, business, environment, health and sport. Guests:Nistula Hebbar, Political Editor; Suhasini Haider, Diplomatic Affairs Editor; TCA Sharad Raghavan, Business and Economics Editor; Jacob Koshy, Science Editor; Ramya Kannan, Health Editor; N Sudarshan, Sports Journalist, The Hindu Host:Anupama Chandrasekaran Edited and produced by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The essence of nuclear governance is safety. That’s not only because any accident can destroy thousands of lives – it’s also because the harm unfolds over time, affecting generations. It can destroy entire regions, as nuclear radiation can make them uninhabitable for a long time. It is thus a matter of common sense that safety has to be a higher priority than any other consideration -- including energy security. Now, the Parliament passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill. It was passed with minimal debate. This Bill repeals previous legislation that governed civil nuclear activity: the Atomic Energy Act 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act 2010. The new Bill, for the first time in India, throws open nuclear power generation to private players. It also exempts nuclear suppliers from any liability. Taken together, what do the provisions of the SHANTI Bill mean for the safety of Indian citizens? What happens in case of a radiation leak? And does India really need nuclear power at a time when other renewables are getting cheaper? Guest: Suvrat Raju, a physicist associated with the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace, who has written on nuclear issues for many years. Host: G. Sampath Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year marks ten years since the Paris Agreement, the climate pact that redefined global climate action. In 2015, nearly 200 countries signed on to a framework based on nationally determined commitments, balancing ambition with political and economic realities.The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It has two big goals - one - to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and -two - pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”A decade later, the track record is mixed. While emissions are rising globally, attention there is a marked push to accelerate clean energy adoption, and increase climate finance. There is growing debate over whether developed countries are doing their fair share, even as developing and least developed nations are the most exposed to climate impacts they did little to cause.As global geopolitics and economic pressures intensify, has the accord delivered on its promises? Guest: Dr. Monika Gupta, Associate Professor, SP Jain Institute of Management & Research Host: Nivedita V Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In early December 2025, the Rupee slipped past the ₹90 per dollar mark. While this drop is labelled as 'psychologically significant,' the underlying economic factors hasn't changed much. Yet a specific set of recent events has added fresh momentum, decisively tipping the scales against the currency. The Rupee’s rise or fall depends on two main factors: what’s happening in the market, and how the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) responds. Guest: economist Zico Dasgupta Host: Nitika Francis Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year around Christmas, reports of attacks on Christian worshippers surface from different parts of India. This year, there were numerous reports of various groups disrupting celebrations across several States, including Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and even Kerala. Several church bodies have written to the Central government, warning of the “alarming rise” in such incidents during the Christmas season.In this episode, we examine why religious festivals often become a flashpoint for tension. Is it the heightened visibility of celebrations, long-standing misconceptions around conversion, or the role of social media in amplifying fear and hostility? Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Guest: Professor Apoorvanand, Delhi University Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The age-old question of whether works created with explicit ideological intent can achieve artistic greatness has long divided critics, artists, and audiences. From Leni Riefenstahl’s films glorifying Nazism to the bold, constructivist posters of the Soviet era, history offers uncomfortable affirmations of propaganda transcending its purpose to become enduring art. Recently, this debate has been reignited by Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, a sprawling spy thriller. While critics have lambasted it for selectively blending real events with fiction to push ultra-nationalist narratives, defenders of the film have argued that its technical finesse, immersive storytelling, and raw intensity elevate it beyond mere messaging, much as in historical precedents, where aesthetic power outlives ideological baggage. Can propaganda be great art? Guests: Prof Asim Siddiqui teaches English Literature at Aligarh Muslim University, writes opinion pieces on Hindi cinema, and is the author of Muslim Identity in Hindi Cinema: Poetics and Politics of Genre and Representation. Sudhanva Deshpande is an eminent theatre personality, author, and film actor. Host: Anuj Kumar Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAMG) Bill, 2025 has received the President’s assent. This Bill replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which stands repealed. The move has sparked an outcry, from the Opposition and civil society. Critics say this new law will destroy the very substance of the erstwhile MGNREGA – which is to provide work on demand. That is how MGNREGA had served as a lifeline for India’s poor and marginalised people. But that is going to change. So, what are the ways in which the G-RAM-G Bill is different from MGNREGA? How will it impact the beneficiaries of MGNREGA? How does it impact federalism? Guest: Rajendran Narayanan, Associate Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru. Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India’s top human rights body, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), is going to have its accreditation status downgraded -- from ‘A’ to ‘B’. The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) is the international body that mediates the relationship between national human rights institutions and the United Nations (UN). In March this year, GANHRI’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation recommended that India’s accreditation status be downgraded to ‘B’. India appealed this move to the GANHRI bureau. Earlier this month, the appeal was turned down. This means that from April 2026, India’s NHRC will no longer enjoy the ‘A’ category accreditation that it has enjoyed till now – a major embarrassment for the institution, and also for India. What were the reasons for this downgrading? Why was our appeal turned down? What can India do to get the ‘A’ accreditation back? Guest: Henri Tiphagne, Working Secretary with the All India Network of Individuals and Organisations working with National and State Human Rights Institutions (AINNI). Host: G. Sampath Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone knows someone with diabetes or heart disease or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It’s impossible to find somebody who doesn’t have at least one victim of these diseases in their family or friends circle. That’s how widespread they’ve become. All these disorders share one thing in common – all are ‘lifestyle diseases’ linked to insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. For the longest time, India’s biggest public health challenge was controlling infectious diseases. But now we have an epidemic of lifestyle diseases, causing millions of premature deaths. A new book ‘Sick Nation’, drills down to the root causes of this epidemic. What are the factors driving it? Why do people ignore the signs until it is too late? And what can you, as an individual, do to protect yourself from this growing epidemic of metabolic dysfunction? Guest: Karan Sarin, metabolic health coach, and author of ‘Sick Nation: Inside India’s Lifestyle Disease Epidemic and How to Fix it’. Host: G Sampath Recorded, produced, and edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Data shows that India’s exports increased by over 15 percent in November year-on-year, the country’s fastest growth in three years. India’s total exports (Merchandise and Services combined) for November 2025 is estimated at $ 73.99 billion. This is a growth of 15.52 per cent, compared November 2024. The rise comes at a time when U.S. has imposed steep tariffs on India. U.S. President Trump introduced reciprocal taxes ---the so-called “liberation day” tariffs -- in April. The U.S. slapped an additional 25 percent tariff on India in retaliation for its continued purchases of Russian oil, bringing total tariffs to 50 per cent. Despite all the new tariffs, exports to the US are booming. U.S. is still the largest destination for Indian exports, growing at 22 per cent in November, compared to last year. It reached approximately $7billion. Engineering, electronics, jewellery and gems, and pharmaceuticals are the top performing sectors. China, Spain, United Arab Emirates and Tanzania are the other top destinations. This is pretty much the same in April-November this year. Data shows USA, China, Spain, the UAE and Hong Kong were the top destinations for Indian goods in this period. These numbers are pretty great, but there are some causes for concern too. While exports are estimated at $ 562.13 Billion during April-November 2025, growing by 5.43 per cent, total imports jumped in this period. Total imports during April-November 2025 is estimated at $ 651.13 billion, up 5 per cent. Merchandise trade deficit during April-November 2025 was $ 223.13 billion as compared to $ 203.33 billion during April-November 2024. One way to tackle the ballooning trade deficit is to urgently diversify both products and trading partners. This plays into a larger context. 2025 will be remembered as they year of the return of protectionism. There is an urgent need to diversify both products and trading partners. How should India navigate this new normal? Guest: Arpita Mukherjee, Professor, at Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) Host: Nivedita V Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Indian Premier League 2026 mini-auction delivered record spending and a clear shift in team priorities, as franchises splurged on Indian domestic talent alongside marquee overseas names. While Cameron Green became the costliest overseas buy in IPL history, the night belonged to uncapped players, several of whom attracted multi-crore bids and reshaped auction dynamics.In this episode of In Focus, The Hindu’s Amol Karhadkar reports from the auction venue in Abu Dhabi. Amol analyses the biggest purchases, the rise in demand for domestic uncapped players and strategies adopted by teams such as CSK and KKR.Guest: Amol Karhadkar, The Hindu’s sports reporter Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Global spending on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is projected to reach $375 billion this year and and $500 billion by 2026, according to the UBS. That raises a fundamental question: is AI’s value being driven by genuine technological progress, or by investor enthusiasm racing ahead of reality? Is the AI boom a bubble? Guests: Bhagwan Chowdhry and Anoop Kunchukuttan Host: Areena Arora Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 21st of November, the government of India has brought in 4 labour codes to reform and replace the 29 existing laws in the country They are Code on Wages, Code on Industrial Relations, Code on Social Security and Code on Occupation Safety, Health and working conditions. The government is touting these labour codes as India’s biggest labour reforms—brought in nearly eight decades after Independence and over five years it was passed in the parliament. These codes seek to ease work regulations, expand social security, and bring greater uniformity to wage structures. However, on 26th November, the Left parties in the country took to the streets to protest these reforms citing them as “anti-labour”. So, why are the left parties opposing these reforms? What are the changes brought by the four labour codes and how do they reshape the future of labour in India? Guest: Venkatesh B. Athreya, economist, and former head of department, Bharathidhasan University Host: Bhagavathi Sampath K J Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, India’s political debates, parliamentary discussions, and health-policy arguments have leaned heavily on a simple figure of one doctor per 1000 people supposedly set by the World Health Organization or WHO But the WHO in a written reply to the Hindu has clarified that it has never actually recommended this ratio. This episode breaks down the history behind the 1:1000 myth, examines the WHO’s current SDG-linked framework for assessing health worker availability, and explores why India’s own data paints a far more uneven picture — from rural-urban gaps to ongoing disputes over counting AYUSH doctors. Guest: Siddhesh Zadey, health-systems researcher and co-founder of the Association for Socially Applicable Research (ASAR) Host: Devyanshi Bihani Edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In its recent assessment, the International Monetary Fund India’s national accounts statistics, which includes key figures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross Value Added (GVA), a grade of ‘C’, the second-lowest grade there is. “National accounts data are available at adequate frequency and timeliness and provide broadly adequate granularity,” the IMF noted, adding, “However, some methodological weaknesses somewhat hamper surveillance and warrant an overall sectoral rating for the national accounts of C.” At a time when the government is celebrating 8.2% GDP growth, this grade has sparked uncomfortable questions. What is the IMF saying and is India truly growing as fast as the government claims? Guest: Prof. B. Bhagwan Das, Former Associate Professor of Economics, Loyola College, Chennai Host: Nivedita V Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It will soon be four years since Russia invaded Ukraine. As the conflict drags on, neither side seems ready for a compromise. But President Donald Trump has been pushing for a peace deal. He recently released a 28-point peace plan. It basically asks Ukraine to cede territory it has already lost in exchange for security guarantees. But Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly ruled out giving up territory. He has also been talking of a revised peace plan. But Trump is impatient for a ceasefire. He is applying pressure on both sides to come to an agreement. What is at stake for the different parties involved, and what are the chances of a deal being reached? Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Indigo’s mass cancellations have disrupted the lives of thousands of passengers. This company is not a newbie or a start-up. It is India’s largest airline, with 60% market share. In Financial Year 2024, it returned a profit of ₹8,000 crores. So, finances were not a concern. Yet, it did not invest in preparing for the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms that kicked in from November 1. Following the mess with the cancellations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has now created special Oversight Team which will be stationed at the Indigo headquarters and audit its operations. Why didn’t Indigo prepare for the new FDTL norms? Could this operational crisis have been averted if it had hired pilots on time? Or is it true, as some analysts are claiming, that India’s aviation sector is inherently uncompetitive, and the odds are stacked against the airlines? We get to the bottom of the Indigo fiasco in this InFocus episode. Guest: Jagriti Chandra, The Hindu’s aviation correspondent. Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the last few days, the rupee exchange rate has fallen below ₹90 a dollar and has largely stayed at that level. Now, with Parliament running, a lot of the discourse on this has been political. However, from a policy level, it is critical to understand the economics behind the fall. Why is the rupee falling? Is it falling worse than other currencies? Does the fall hurt or help the Indian economy? And finally, is this a cause for alarm? Guests: Madan Sabnavis and Ranen Banerjee Host: TCA Sharad Raghavan Edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India’s home season against South Africa has been nothing short of dramatic, from a bruising Test whitewash to a spirited comeback in the ODIs. But beneath the results lies a deeper story about where Indian cricket stands today and where it is headed. In this episode of In Focus, we break down the biggest talking points from the tour. Why is India suddenly vulnerable in Tests at home? Are the pitches the problem, or is this part of a larger decline in red-ball skills? In contrast, what did the ODI win tell us about the squad’s depth — and is the Rohit-Kohli chapter far from over? We also discuss Gautam Gambhir’s leadership, the idea of split coaching roles, and what the upcoming T20s mean for India’s 2026 World Cup preparation. Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Guest: Amol Karhadkar, The Hindu’s sports writer Produced and edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent report released by the World Health Organization, stated something that experts in India have been warning about for years: antimicrobial resistance or AMR in our country the report said, “is a serious and escalating threat, with resistance rates among the highest in the world.” The government is taking this threat seriously: it has now brought out National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR 2.0) — (2025-29) to combat AMR at all levels. So what is India facing in terms of infections that may not be able to be cured? What sectors does AMR affect outside of hospitals? What are the gaps in the latest AMR plan and how can they be managed? And finally, what can we, as individuals do? Guest: Dr. Abdul Ghafur, Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Apollo Hospital, Chennai, and Coordinator, Chennai Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every winter, India’s capital city turns into a gas chamber. There is a sharp spike in cases of people reporting respiratory complaints. Children’s schooling is disrupted. They can’t go out and play. The elderly can’t take their morning walks. And the state does very little to address what is evidently a public health emergency. Beijing had exactly the same problem – but no longer. It took measures to solve it. India has big claims to be a rising power. But our government and bureaucracy have been unable to deliver on the most basic of requirements for life – breathable air. Why are we in this situation? What can be done? Guest: Vimlendu Jha, environmentalist Host: G Sampath Recorded, produced, and edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From high-altitude warfare, extreme weather and the shock of Pakistan’s surprise occupation of the heights, to the evolution of artillery tactics that changed the course of the conflict, his memoir Artillery’s Thunder: The Untold Kargil Story recounts the lesser-known, ground-level realities of Operation Vijay. In this conversation, he also reflects the parallels between Kargil and modern precision warfare, and shares insights into the operational challenges faced by soldiers in the world’s highest battlefield. What made the artillery’s role so decisive? How did units innovate under fire? And what does this tell us about India’s preparedness for future high-altitude conflicts? Guest: Major General (Retd.) Lakhwinder Singh, author of Artillery’s Thunder: The Untold Kargil Story Host: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit, Maharashtra Chief of Bureau, The Hindu Produced and edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the rise in telecom and internet penetration in India, technology-based crimes are on the rise. While financial fraud and digital arrests are the focus of the conversation, a less talked-about issue is that of digital gender-based violence. A new report, titled Experiencing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in India: Survivor Narratives and Legal Responses, highlights testimonies from survivors who have experienced violence enabled by digital tools. The report highlights how digital tools are being used to harass and shame people based on gender or sexuality and shows that online violence is not just a virtual problem, it affects lives and has a profound impact on mental health and personal safety. What is TFGBV, and who is most impacted? Why does justice remain out of reach for many survivors, and what systemic and social changes are urgently needed to tackle the issue. Guest: Manjusha Madhu of Breakthrough, who is the lead co-author and co-researcher of the report, published by Equality Now and Breakthrough. Host: mandira Moddie Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this week, the Department of Telecommunications ordered smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices. It also told them to ensure that the app’s functionalities are not disabled. It said this would protect users from cyber-fraud and phone theft. But within two days, the government revoked this order. It justified the withdrawal by citing a surge in acceptance of the app. But the revocation was preceded by a tremendous pushback against the original order – from digital rights activists as well as the Opposition. They said it was an attempt to vastly expand the scope of state surveillance. How do we contextualise this entire episode? Tune in! Guest: Apar Gupta, founder director of Internet Freedom Foundation. Host: G Sampath Produced and edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rise of Zohran Mamdani as the Mayor of New York City in the United States has brought focus to the lack of visibility of similarly elected civic officials in Indian cities. Why do citizens in urban areas of India have no elected official to turn to in times of crisis or to help improve civic infrastructure and amenities? The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the governing civic body of Mumbai, is set to have elections in 2026 after several years. In Telangana, 27 municipalities are being merged into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has been divided into five corporations. Will these measures help improve governance of cities? Do we need to change how cities are governed in India? Guests: Thoniparambil Raghunandan, Former IAS officer and a consultant on decentralisation and planning; Anant Maringanti, Director of Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change at the University of Minnesota Host: Serish Nanisetti Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an annual observance established by the United Nations in 1992. The 2025 theme is "fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress". In this episode, we examine India's Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and the principle of reasonable accommodation. Under Section 2(y), reasonable accommodation means "any necessary and appropriate modification and/or adjustment" that enables PwDs to enjoy their rights equally with others, without imposing a "disproportionate or undue burden."Yet despite clear policy mandates, it remains treated as a "nice to have" by many organisations and public institutions. Why do implementation gaps persist? What costs—physical, emotional, and social—do employees with disabilities bear? And what will it take to move beyond tick-box compliance toward genuine inclusion? Guest: Amran Ali, Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), and a prominent voice in the disability rights movement. Host: Vibha B Madhava Recorded by Jude Weston and Tayyab Hussain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2025 Formula One season has delivered one of the most thrilling championship battles in over a decade. What looked like a straight McLaren shootout between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri took a dramatic turn after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where both drivers were disqualified for technical infringements.That stunning twist, combined with Max Verstappen’s late-season surge and seven consecutive podiums, has transformed the fight into a genuine three-way showdown going into the final race at Abu Dhabi.This episode of InFocus unpacks how the 2025 season shaped up into a captivating three-horse race, the team dynamics that defined McLaren’s back-to-back Constructors’ Championship, as well as a disappointing first year for Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari. Guest: Rishikesh Ramachandran, former racer and journalist Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is going on with health insurance claims? According to recent data from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the volume of claims filed rose 21.8% in the financial year 2025, but the total amount settled by insurers increased by only 12.88 %. This stark mismatch has spilled over social media – where stories of claims going unsettled, settled for lower amounts of being endlessly delayed, are rife. Adding to this issue is the steep rise in health insurance premiums. Earlier this year, the IRDAI, had directed that premiums for senior citizens not be revised by over 10% a year – this came after senior citizen premiums were going up by 50 or 60% in many cases. Why is there a growing mismatch between claims filed and settled? How much of an effect does the rising cost of medical services play in this? Do both the insurance sector and private hospitals need better, more stringent regulation? Guest: Prof. Indranil M., professor and health economist, at OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat Host: Zubeda hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekender episode, we take you back to a time when Mumbai was living under the shadow of the underworld- when extortion calls, gang wars, and contract killings were part of daily life. We are joined by one of the key officers who led the operations that broke the backbone of Mumbai’s mafia networks. As he talks about his book The Brahmastra Unleashed, we unpack what was really happening on the streets, what changed within the police force, and how the city slowly took back control. What Mumbai looked and felt like during the peak of gang dominance? How the police tracked and tackled major gangs? What’s the truth behind “encounter specialists” versus the myths created by cinema? All in this episode. Tune in. Guest: D. Sivanandhan IPS (Retd.), Former Police Commissioner of Mumbai Host: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit, Maharashtra Chief of Bureau, The Hindu Shot by Emmanual Karbhari and Aditya Shirsekar Produced and edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What comes to mind when someone says the word ‘mumps’? You’re vaguely remembering that it’s supposed to be a mild, childhood illness, one that you haven’t perhaps heard about in a long time. The fact is however, that there are thousands of mumps cases being reported in India every year. And this is not just limited to one or two States — cases occur across the country. A vaccine for mumps has been available for over 50 years now — in fact, India manufactures and exports this vaccine to other countries, and yet, it is not part of our country’s universal immunisation programme for children. So why are mumps cases spiking in India? What does the mumps viral illness do to the body? And is there a case to be made out to include the mumps vaccine in routine immunisations for children? Guest: Dr. Vipin M. Vashishtha, Past National Convener of the IAP Committee on Immunisation and Director of Mangla Hospital & Research Center, Uttar Pradesh Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The annual UN Climate Conference, COP30, concluded in Belem, Brazil, last week. The final text of the outcome did not mention "fossil fuels" at all, and did not strengthen financial commitments. However, voluntary plans announced by the COP30 President to create roadmaps to transition away from fossil fuels and to stop deforestation show some hope. In this episode of InFocus, we speak with Zerin Osho, director of India Programme at the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, to break down the results of COP30. Guest: Zerin Osho, director of India Programme at the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development Host: Priyali Prakash Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On November 21, the Union Labour Ministry announced the implementation of the four labour codes: The Code on Wages, 2019; The Industrial Relations Code, 2020; The Code on Social Security, 2020; and The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. Several trade unions have expressed concern over the notification of the four labour codes, with many of them demanding that they be revoked. Are the labour codes labour-friendly? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Amarjeet Kaur,General Secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress; R. Mukundan, Managing Director & CEO, Tata Chemicals Limited Host: A.M. Jigeesh Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices